Clothes washing machine



Aug. 9, 1960 s. FLINT CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1956 INVENTOR.

47/115 6./"7/bf BY aid CWM ,ATTORNEY CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE EllisG. Flint, Doland, S. Dak.

Filed Aug. 31, 1956, Ser. No. 607,344 Claims. (Cl. 68-132) My invention relates to a clothes washingmachine and an object of my invention is to provide a personal clothes washing machine of small size, light weight and efficient construction which can be carried as luggage and is well adapted to satisfy the personal clothes washing needs of a user.

Because of the heavy weight and large size of the tubs of even the smallest clothes washing machines now available it is not practical for persons who are traveling or who live in single rooms or small apartments to have with them machines for washing clothes which they may not wish to send or may not have time to send to a laundry. These persons almost always have water, electric current and a lavatory bowl available and it is an object of my invention to provide for these persons, at a nominal cost, a light weight, compact electrically operated, variable speed washing machine which does not have any tub but utilizes an ordinary lavoratory bowl as the receptacle in which the clothes can be washed and, if desired, rinsed.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel and efiicient means for mounting this clothes washing machine on lavoratory bowls of varying sizes and shapes and for securing the machine in place on these bowls.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a rear elevation, with parts broken away, of a-clothes washing machine constructed in accordance with my invention showing parts of two supporting arms for the same in extended position.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in plan and partly in section taken substantially on broken line 22 of Fig. 1 and showing the agitator.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view on a smaller scale than Figs. 1 and 2 showing this washing machine mounted on a corner type lavatory bowl.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a device which can be used for securing this machine in place on a lavatory bowl.

Fig. 5 is a detached elevation, with parts in section, of one of the telescopic folding arms used in mounting the machine on a lavatory bow Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view showing the base portion of the machine with supporting arms and a frag ment of an ofl? center oscillating agitator shaft.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing part of i an agitator arm and one type of cup which may be used thereon.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing part of an agitator arm having a vacuum type cup integral with the end thereof.

Fig. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing one form of power transmission which may be used between a motor and an agitator for reducing'speed and converting rotary to oscillating motion.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantionally on broken line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on broken line 1111 of Fig. 6.

-Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

This machine comprises a motor housing 10 having therein a variable speed electric motor 11 from which power is transmitted through any suitable conventional speed reduction power transmitting means to an oscillatory driven shaft 12. The power transmitting means may be varied but for purpose of illustration one means which will accomplish the desired purpose is shown in Fig. 9. In said Fig. 9 the numeral 13 indicates the shaft of the motor 11; 14 indicates speed reduction worm or spiral gear means connecting shaft 13 with a worm wheel 15; 16 indicates a crank pin on the wheel 15; 17 a gear rack pivoted on crank pin 16 and held in mesh by a shackle 18 with a pinion 19 on the oscillatory shaft 12.

The speed reduction power transmitting means is mounted in a base part 20 of the motor housing 10 and the oscillating shaft 12, see Fig. 6, is positioned off center relative to the motor housing, the axis of which is indicated by dot and dash line A, said shaft 12 being toward the rear of the housing and extending downwardly through a bearing and water tight packing gland 21 which is rigid with the housing base 20.

Conventional means to control the speed of the motor 11, such as a knob 22, is provided on the upper portion of the motor housing 10. Also preferably a bale type handle 23 is connected with the motor housing to facilitate handling and hanging up of the machine. Also preferably the motor has a driven fan 24 which draws in cooling air through perforations 25 in the upper part of said housing and expels this air through other perforations 26 in the lower portion of said housing. This downward circulation of the cooling air minimizes the intake of moisture in the form of steam and vapor to the housing and thus reduces the danger of the motor being grounded or otherwise damaged by moisture.

The oscillating shaft 12 carries an agitator comprising preferably three equidistantly spaced agitator arms 27 which extend outwardly and downwardly and sidewise and terminate in cup shaped members 28 of flexible material, such as rubber or plastic. The cup shaped members 28 are positioned so that they are approximately at right angles to the direction in which they move through the water but are slightly inclined downwardly to reduce the danger of splashing. The upper end portion of each agitator arm 27 is rigidly attached to the oscillating shaft 12. This may be done by securing each arm 27 by means, such as screws 29, to a disc 30 which is fixedly but removably attached to the oscillating driven shaft'll. Preferably the agitator arms 27 are of non-corrosive material, such as plastic and obviously they may be molded as a single unit and may be attached to the oscillating shaft 12 in various different ways.

Fig. 7 shows one of the cup members 28 attached to an agitator-arm 27 by a screw 29". Fig. 8 shows a'similar cup 32 which is molded as an integral terminal part of an agitator arm 33.

Mounting arms 34, 35 and 36, preferably three in number, are foldingly and removably and pivotally secured to the base portion 20 of the motor housing. All of these arms fold toward the agitator into positions substantially parallel to the axis of the machine. One of said arms 34 can be extended so that it protrudes radially forward from the housing base 20. The other two arms 35 and 36 can be extended so that they protrude sidewise tangentially from the rear side of the housing base 20. All of said arms can be quickly and easily removed to make the machine more compact for packaging and when it is to be carried as luggage.

The arm 34, Figs. 3 and 6, is illustrated as being a flat metal bar attached by rivets 37 to a terminal part 38 which is connected by a readily removable resilient split pivot pin 39, Figs. 6 and 11, with a bracket 40. The split end of the pivot pin 39 terminates in a slightly enlarged portion which yieldingly holds the pin 39 in place in the bracket 40 but will allow it to be readily withdrawn manually by exerting a pull on an elongated head or end part 39' of said pin. The bracket 40 is rigidly secured to the bottom of the housing base a short distance inwardly from the periphery of said base and adjacent to the front side thereof. Upward swinging movement of the arm 34 will be limited by abutment of said arm against the bottom of the base 20.

The two arms 35 and 36 are swingingly connected by pivot members 42 with a block 43 which is rigidly but removably secured to the rear part of the housing base 2%). When they are in use these arms 35 and 36 extend in opposite directions approximately tangentially from said base 2%, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 10. The pivot members 42 may be shouldered rivets, as shown in Fig. 10. Swinging movement of the arms 35 and 36 in the direction of the housing It} beyond a position perpendicular to the axis of said housing is prevented by abutment of stop portions 44 on the ends of said arms against shoulders 45 on the block 43. These arms can be folded toward the agitator into a position approximately parallel to the axis of the machine.

A ninety degree twist 46 is preferably provided in each of the arms 35 and 36 a short distance outwardly from its pivoted end so that the outer end portion of each arm is in a horizontal plane when the housing is upright. Preferably the block 43 is rigidly but removably attached to the housing base 20 Fig. 10, by providing in said housing base two rigid dowel pins 20' which fit into suitable holes in the block and position and stabilize the same and by further providing a readily removable wing screw 43' which extends through a suitable hole in the lock 43 and is threaded into the housing base 20.

A combined extension and padding member fits telescopically over and frictionally grips but is movable on each of the arms 34, 35 and 36, as more clearly shown on arm 36 in Fig. 5. Each of said extension members comprises a fairly strong inner flat tubular member 47 which fits snugly over the bar and which has an outer coating or casing or layer 48 of padding material, such as rubber. Each extension and padding member 4748 binds frictionally on the arm by which it is carried and can be positioned well beyond the end of said arm, as illustrated by dot and dash lines at the right in Fig. 5, and is strong enough to support its share of the weight of the machine when extended.

Fig. 3 shows this washing machine mounted on a corner type lavatory bowl 50 having a back formed by two parts 51 which extend above the top of the bowl and intersect at right angles. When the machine is thus used on a corner type bowl the two arms 35 and 36 rest on the top of the bowl 50 just forwardly of the side parts 51 and support about one half of the Weight of the machine while the other half of the machine weight is supported by the forwardly extending arm 34. Having this extra weight on the arm 34 makes it unnecessary to attach said arm 34 to the bowl. Also having the two arms 35 and 36 tangential instead of radial facilitates attachment of these two arms to the bowl by shackle means hereinafter described. Positioning the oscillating agitator shaft 12 to the rear of the center of the housing 10 makes it pos sible to substantially center the agitator in a bowl 50 of even the smallest size ordinarily used. Thus the tangential mounting of the two arms 35 and 36 and the off center positioning of the shaft 12 both contribute to the production of a machine which is applicable to bowls of various size and type. When the machine is used on lavatory bowlsdesigned for installation on fiat walls the all arms 35 and 36 will extend across the bowl a short distance to the rear of the vertical axis of the bowl.

The machine is fastened to the lavatory bowl by shackle or connector means which is preferably flexible and elastic and which attaches to the two arms 35 and 36 and passes under the bowl. One connector means satisfactory for this purpose is shown in Fig. 4 and comprises two chain type terminal or end parts 52 having links large enough to he slipped over the arms 35 and 36, see Fig. 3. Each end part 52 is connected with a tension spring 53 and the two tension springs 53 are adjustably connected with each other by a readily releasable snap 54 and a chain 55. Preferably a shield, such as a rubber or plastic tube 56 is fitted over each spring 53. When the machine is fastened to a bowl by elastic shackle or connector means such as that shown in Fig. 4 and which attaches to the two arms 35 and 36 it usually will not be necessary to use any fastening means on the arm 34 because the excess Weight carried by the arm 34 will usually hold it in place.

In use this machine is placed on and fastened to a lavatory bowl and the clothes together with water and detergent, as desired, are placed in the bowl with the clothes around the agitator. The speed of oscillation of the agitator is controlled by varying the speed of the motor and can be regulated as required by the amount and kind of clothes being washed. Also the agitator speed can be regulated to suit the shape and size of the bowl and to prevent splash. More delicate articles, such as hosiery and undergarments are usually washed at slower speed. The agitator imparts a slow progressive movement to the water and clothes in the direction of the bend of the lower ends of the agitator arms 27, this being the direction in which the concave sides of the cups 28 face. This progressive movement increases washing eificiency and tends to prevent the clothes from winding on the agitator. The clothes can be rinsed while the machine is operating by slowing down the agitator to avoid splashing and admitting an amount of cold water suflicient to float off the suds through the overflow opening of the bowl and to obtain the desired rinsing action. Also the clothes can be rinsed by stopping the motor, draining the bowl, admitting rinse water and operating the agitator at slow speed for a short time.

Using a lavatory bowl as a receptacle in which the clothes are washed also reduces to a minimum the work involved in filling and emptying this receptacle.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is; merely illustrative and that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In clothes washing devices, a lavatory bowl; a motor provided With a cylindrical housing having an axis; an agitator shaft; shaft oscillating means connecting said agitator shaft with said motor; a plurality of arms pivotally secured to an end portion of said housing and movable between a folded position approximately parallel to the axis of said housing and a position in which they extend outwardly from said housing approximately perpendicularly to the axis of said housing and are capable of supporting the housing on the lavatory bowl, said arms overhanging the margin of the bowl; means limiting outward swinging movement of said arms; resilient flexible securing means connected with the overhanging end portions of at least two of said arms and passing under the lavatory bowl securing the clothes washing devices to the bowl; and an agitator carried by said agitator shaft and positioned in the lavatory bowl when the clothes washing devices are positioned on the bowl.

2. In a clothes washing machine for use on a lavatory bowl, a motor having a cylindrical housing; an oscillatory shaft extending from one end of said housing having an axis driving means connecting said shaft with said motor; an agitator secured to said shaft; two arms pivotally connected with the end portion of said housing adjacent said agitator and movable between a folded position substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a supporting position in which they extend outwardly in opposite directions substantially tangentially from said housing and substantially in alignment with each other; stop means limiting outward swinging movement of said arms; a third arm pivotally connected with the end portion of said housing substantially diametrically opposite from the pivotal connection of said two firstnamed arms with said housing and movable between a folded position approximately parallel with the axis of said housing and a supporting position substantially radial to said housing; and means limiting outward swinging movement of said third arm, said three arms when extended being capable of supporting the housing on a lavatory bowl with the agitator in the bowl.

3. In a clothes washing machine, a lavatory bowl; a cylindrical motor housing having an axis; a motor within said housing; an oscillatory shaft driven by said motor and protruding from one end of said housing; an agitator secured to said shaft; two arms pivotally connected with the end portion of said housing adjacent said agitator and movable between a folded position substantially parallel to the axis of said housing and an extended position in which they extend outwardly in opposite directions substantially tangentially from said housing; adjustable resilient flexible securing means connected with said two oppositely extending arms and passing under the lavatory bowl ad securing the machine to the bowl when the machine is on the bowl; stop means limiting the outward swinging movement of each of said arms; a third arm pivotally and foldably connected with an end portion of said housing at a location approximately diametrically opposite to the location where said two first named arms are connected with said housing, said third arm being movable into a machine supporting position substantially radial to said housing and supporting at least approximately one half of the weight of the machine when the machine is on a bowl; and stop means limiting outward swinging movement of said third arm.

4. In a clothes washing machine, a lavatory bowl; a motor housing having an axis; a motor in said housing; a shaft oscillatingly driven by said motor; a plurality of arms of flat metal pivotally secured to one end portion of said housing and movable between a folded position approximately parallel to the axis of said housing and an extended position approximately perpendicular to the axis of said housing and in which they protrude from the housing and are capable of supporting the housing on the lavatory bowl, the plane of the flat outer end portions of each of said arms being horizontal when the machine is supported on a lavatory bowl; fiat tubular extension members telescopically disposed on the flat outer end portions of said arms providing length extension of said arms; a tube of elastic padding material fitted over each flat tubular extension member adapted to contact the top of a lavatory bowl when the machine is on a bowl; stop means limiting outward swinging movement of each of said arms; and a driven agitator carried by said shaft and positioned in the lavatory bowl when the housing is supported on the bowl.

5. In a clothes washing machine for use on a lavatory bowl, a motor provided with a cylindrical housing having an axis and two ends; an oscillatory shaft extending from one end of said housing; driving means connecting said shaft with said motor; an agitator secured to said shaft; an arm mounting block; readily detachable means removably securing said arm mounting block to the periphery of said housing near the end adjacent the agitator; two arms pivotally connected with said arm mounting block and readily removable with said block, said two arms being movable between a folded position substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a supporting position in which they extend outwardly in opposite directions substantially tangentially from said housing and substantially in alignment with each other; stop means limiting outward swinging movement of each of said arms; a third arm pivotally and detachably connected with the end portion of said housing substantially diametrically opposite from said block and movable between a folded position approximately parallel with the axis of said housing and a supporting position substantially radial to said housing, said three arms when extended being capable of supporting the housing on a lavatory bowl with the agitator in the bowl; and stop means limiting outward swinging movement of said third arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,919 Yassenofi Nov. 15, 1910 1,451,447 Nelson Apr. 10, 1923 1,706,413 Rocke Mar. 26, 1929 2,134,048 Kessell Oct. 25, 1938 2,215,032 Fischer Sept. 17, 1940 2,703,484 Hay Mar. 8, 1955 2,740,282 Buchholz Apr. 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 670,640 Great Britain .Apr. 23, 1952 

